ECUMENICAL RESOURCES
SA Council of Churches promotes conversation, study and reflection on Ecumenism and the following resources may be of interest.
Refugee and Migrant Sunday 2010
Resources
Refugee and Migrant Sunday is a celebration of the dignity of people who are refugees and migrants and the contribution they have made to life in Australia. It is celebrated by the Churches together on or around 29 August 2010.
Refugee and Migrant Sunday Resources for 2010 have been gathered for use in churches, schools and the wider community by Working Parties of SA Council of Churches.
International Day of Peace - 21 September 2010
The United Nations' International Day of Peace - marked every year on 21 September - is a time when individuals, communities, nations and governments highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace. Established by U.N. resolution in 1982, "Peace Day" has grown to include millions of people around the world who participate in all kinds of events, large and small.The initiative was further developed by the World Council of Churches, inviting us all to pray for peace on 21 September, or the Sunday preceding it, as a response to the United Nations' encouragement for a "global 24-hour spiritual observation for peace", which "is meant to demonstrate the power of prayer and other spiritual practices in promoting peace and preventing violent conflict".
Churches are encouraged to be aware of the day, of the WCC commitment to peace and to develop opportunities to assist members to participate in activities which contribute to Peace in all communities.
In particular, Churches are urged to include aspects of peace making eg through prayer, reflections, in their services on 19 & 26 September.
On or near the 21 September, Interchurch Councils and Churches in a local area could also arrange prayer vigils - a period of time when people from across denominations are brought together to reflect and pray for those things which make for peace.
Snapshots 2 - Real Stories about Christian Life in Community
Snapshots 2 follows on from the earlier "Snapshots" DVD, this time with an emphasis on community. This new resource will guide groups through eight discussion sessions.
For more details – www.eculent.org.au
South Australian Council of Churches
Why I am still a Christian
Around fifty five people gathered over drinks and nibbles at St Chad’s, Fullarton, on the evening of 5 November 2009 to hear Rick Sarre, Professor of Law and Criminal Justice University of South Australia and Lorna Hallahan, Lecturer, School of Social Work, Flinders University, share something of their experience of the journey as a Christian in today’s world, as a catalyst for conversation.
Space was created for hospitality and an invitation to us to enter into a ‘safe’ and welcoming place that enabled solidarity and companionship in faith to be expressed and nourished.
People were left with a sense of being at peace in relishing the questions, living with the mystery and ambiguities of our faith and to walk with humility, hope and love, in the company of one another and with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Fore more, please read the following Why I am still a Christian - Rick Sarre (pdf file).
South Australian Council of Churches
Receptive Ecumenism - An exchange of gifts
Many of us recognise that the ecumenical context has changed.
Rev Dr Denis Edwards explores with us how the primary ecumenical responsibility is to ask not "What do the other traditions first need to learn from us?" but "What do we need to learn from them?"
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1 Peter 4:10
South Australian Council of Churches
Discussion Guides
-- An Ecumenical Resource for use between Easter - Pentecost
Authors - Dr Stephen Downs and The Rev'd John Littleton
Introduction
In late 2006 the SA Council of Churches planned a period of discernment, to look anew at its core business and to further the Council's aims in a new and different context. One of the tasks it has set for this period is discussion based on the documents "Called to be the One Church" and "Australian Churches Covenanting Together". Two discussion guides have been prepared to assist with this: "Christian Fellowship: What does in mean to me?" and "Common Action: What am I doing about it?"
Heads of Christian Churches
Ecumenical Studies Resource Committee
The Committee is having a clearing out sale and you have the opportunity to snap up some great resources.
- Last year's well received DVD resource, Snapshots, (Real Stories about Life, Faith and Spirituality) are now just AUD10 + postage.
- Journeying with the Christ (2006) is now available AUD3 + for postage.
Earlier resources are free to a good home! Just send cost for postage:
- Renewing Creation (2004),
- Give Me Shelter (2002),
- Hope for the Millenium (2000),
- Living Relationships (1998).
You can find outlines of these publications on their website, or to get your resources, contact Geoff Payne
or visit www.eculent.org.au
or phone: 0411 244 464